Automatically-opening penknife



Oct. 19 {1926. 1,603,914

' M-P.HERMANN AUTOMATICALLY OPENING PENKNIFE Filed Jan. 21. 1926 INVENTOR:

Patented Get. 19, 1925.

UNETED STATES sates.

MAX 1?. HERIEANN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Application filed January 21, was. Serial at. 82,639. i

This invention, generally stated, relates to so-called pen or pocket knives and has more especial relation to a knife of this character equipped with a coiled spring controlled blade normally maintained in closed position by a finger piece having a wedgelike projection whereby upon release of the finger piece the blade may be caused to antomatically open. The leading object of the present invention is to provide a knife of the character above indicated which is of simple, compact, neat and inexpensive structure and in which the cutting blade is provided a more. positive action than other types of antomatically opening blades now upon the market.

ith these and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction hereinafter described and finally claimed.

The nature, characteristic features and Scope of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a pocket knife embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top or plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but viewed from the opposite side.

Fig. 4 is a view drawn to an enlarged seal-e in central section illustrating'details of construction.

F 5 is an end view of the knife.

F ig. 6 is a view in section taken upon the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an end view of the knife viewed from the opposite end of that seen in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view illustrating the pivotal end of the cutting blade.

Fig. 9 is a view in detail of the spring for causing opening of the blade.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a view of one of the side plates; and

Fig. 12 is an end view of the finger piece and its wedge-shaped projection.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form [thereof which is at present preferred by me, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference numeral 1 designates the two side plates of aso-called pen or pocket knife beween which plates is pivotally mounted as at 2 a cutting blade 3. Secured to the pivotal end of the cutting blade as at d is a piece of metal tape 6 which is bent around the end of the cutting blade and the free end of said piece of steel spring 6 carries a slide 7 movable along the back 8, which back 8 is preferably formed integral with.

the two side plates 1, as clearly shown in F 6. in practice good results have been obtained by forming in the rear of the blade 3 recess, as shown in Fig. 8, and coiling an end of the metal tape 6 in said recessed portion, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.. By this arrangement the metal tape 6 may be readily removed from the blade when desired, the blade 3 removed by slipping same from the pivot unit 2 through slot 20. Connected to the slide 7 is a coiled spring 9 secured to a pivotal end piece 10 at the rear of the knife handle, as is best seen in Fig. 5. Stops 17 are provided to limit the inward movement of the member 10. As is readily apparent with the knife blade in closed position, as clearly shown in Fig. i, the spring 9 is placed under tension and upon release of the cutting blade in a manner to be presently described, the said cutting blade is permitted to automatically open with a decided and positive movement. During this movement of spring contraction the metal tape 6 is substantially flattened out along the back of the knife handle in somewhat the position shown in Fig. 9. It is also apparent that in addition to the positive opening action of the cutting blade the knife actuating parts are readily accessible for the change of blades and repair purposes which is an advantageous feature. The pivotal end of the knife blade is provided with a tapered opening 11 and with a notched or recessed portion 12. Secured to one of the plates of the knife handle as by a pin 13 passing through the handle is a member 14 which covers one of the side plates 1 and is provided at its free end with a finger piece 15. Carried by the finger piece is a wedge-shaped projection 16 which is adapted to alternately engage the opening 11 and recess 12 of the cutting blade depending upon the position of said blade. In other words, when the cutting blade is in closed position as shown in the drawings the said projection 16 engages opening 11. When the cutting blade has been automatically opened, the said projection 16 engages with the recess 12 tolnaintain the blade in open and relatively rigid position. In practice, good results have been obtained by forming in the side walls 1 oppositely disposed apertures 18 and forming in the member 14 an aperture 19 and w ys or guides 23 to receive the slide parts 21 of the finger piece 15, see Figs. 6 and 11 to maintain. the finger piece in proper position.

That side 1 adjacent the finger piece is cut away at 22, see Fig. 11, so that the wedge shaped projection 16 may work therethrougrh. It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and useful construction which embodies the features of advantage enu rnerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description and whilel have in the present instance shown and described the preferred embodimentthereof which has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understod that the same is susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A. liilifG of the character stated, coniprisiup; a pair oi": side plates forming a handle, a blade hinged therebetween, a member of metal tape connected to the pivoted end of said blade, a coiled spring including a slide for moving along; the handle back connecting said member and one end of said handle, and a finger piece fixed to one end of the handle adjacent the blade pivot point, the free end of said finger piece being arranged to detachably engage the pivot end of said blade to release same.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed iny'nanie.

MAX 1 HERMANN. 

